My apologies - my memory of the Lindows case was hazy. I know MS were worried that they [mighti lose their trademark if they pushed too hard, which is why they focussed so much on the "Vista" in their marketing, and not so much on the "Windows".

3) Tim Langdell did sue EA. He sued everyone. He typically wasn't successful, but he could bully enough to get settlements

dumpy wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 20:43:In the instance of Mojang, Bethesda are paranoid that the use of 'Scrolls' will have legal ramifications on their use of the same word in their licensing.

This is ridiculous, though - Mojang can't stop anyone using "Scrolls", because it's a commonly used term - just like Microsoft couldn't trademark "Windows" (which is why they changed it to "Vista"), and Tim Langdell couldn't sue EA for calling their game "Mirror's Edge".

Wait, what?1) Microsoft has trademarked "Windows"2) It isn't "Vista," it's "Windows Vista"3) Tim Langdell did sue EA. He sued everyone. He typically wasn't successful, but he could bully enough to get settlements

dumpy wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 20:43:In the instance of Mojang, Bethesda are paranoid that the use of 'Scrolls' will have legal ramifications on their use of the same word in their licensing.

This is ridiculous, though - Mojang can't stop anyone using "Scrolls", because it's a commonly used term - just like Microsoft couldn't trademark "Windows" (which is why they changed it to "Vista"), and Tim Langdell couldn't sue EA for calling their game "Mirror's Edge".

There seems to be pretty well established precedent on this, but Bethesda are pursuing Mojang anyway - seems kinda douchey.

WaltC wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 14:36:The graphics in Minecraft look basically like they were drawn by a 6-year old playing with Lego blocks and crayons. So, there are much better things this would-be entrepreneur could be spending his money on.

it's my understanding minecraft has sold 3 million copies. there's no "would-be"; he's an entrapaneur.

i'm generally loathe to use this term, but if you're whining about the graphics in minecraft you really don't get it.

I don't see why the Trademark system has to be so ridiculous that someone with a game called "The Elder Scrolls" has to worry about their game if someone wants to make a game called "Scrolls". These trademarks shouldn't overlap. One is a pc card game and one is an RPG? I don't see this being a problem even if notch decided to change the game and make it a First person RPG set in a fantasy realm.

Nobody is going to confuse "Scrolls" with "The Elder Scrolls". Fix the stupid trademark laws so there is no argument about needing to defend your trademark.

ELITE wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 13:21:I just want him to Tweet a running tab of how much money he's blowing on a shitty name.

Maybe it's coming out of the marketing budget, in which case it seems to be money well spent.

Any money paid out to attorneys over idiotic stuff like this is completely wasted. Much, much better to spend your marketing money on advertising--which you'd think would be common sense. The graphics in Minecraft look basically like they were drawn by a 6-year old playing with Lego blocks and crayons. So, there are much better things this would-be entrepreneur could be spending his money on. It's one thing to successfully give away mountains of free software--quite another to interest people in paying for it. Getting into a pissing match with Bethesda, who quite possibly had trademarked the word "scroll" with respect to a computer game before notch was born, is *not* the way to kick off a software career.

If he's got time for this sort of thing, he apparently isn't spending enough time on software development. In the end, his use of the word "scroll" in the title of his game won't mean a thing in comparison with the quality, or lack thereof, of the software he produces. He's shown me nothing yet, but I'm willing to wait and see. Less mouth and more coding is the approach he should take from here on out, imo.

It is well known that I do not make mistakes--so if you should happen across a mistake in anything I have written, be assured that I did not write it!

B) Bethsft is probably done as they can show they've demonstrated they're active about protecting their trademark from dilution. Unless they have other plans themselves and/or just feel like smacking Notch on the crotch for being an clown about all of this. And I wouldn't blame them.

Actually, the injunction basically was Bethesda asking the court to not allow Mojang to use the term "scrolls" while the case proceeds. That was overturned. If I had to guess, probably because the game is not released yet so no actual physical damage could be done to the Elder Scrolls at this time.

The lawsuit is still progressing, and the injunction can be appealed. It's not over, this is just the opening shot.

B) Bethsft is probably done as they can show they've demonstrated they're active about protecting their trademark from dilution. Unless they have other plans themselves and/or just feel like smacking Notch on the crotch for being an clown about all of this. And I wouldn't blame them.

"We choose the right to be who we are. We know the difference between the reality of freedom and the illusion of freedom."

xXBatmanXx wrote on Oct 18, 2011, 11:16:Good. Now everyone can move on.

Except Bethesda and their team of incompetent lawyers. I'm sure after another laughable defeat to Interplay, over their Fallout deal, they'll get back to suing Mojang again. They have the option to appeal.